The wind was much lighter than yesterday so I tried the spot I waded out and whipped last week. The waves were small enough where I could sit just inside of the white wash, or in a small channel and cast into the surf. It took a bit of paddling around to find the biters, but once I found them, there were others nearby.
The first papio was a skinny, just legal omilu which I released. The next was a white papio of about the same length but thicker and more muscular. Unlike the omilu, it kept fighting even when I had it board side. The next papio was about 10.5″, head to fork and I considered keeping it but as I readied my fish bag it came off the hook. Oh well, I was just thinking of taking it since the fish seemed to all be the same size.
I cast out a rock hard, frozen oama and the fourth papio took it head first. It was just legal but hooked deep and I didn’t risk killing it by yanking out the hook with pliers so I cut the line off in front of the hook. Hopefully the hook rusts out or falls out soon.
With so many barely legal fish, I paddled around looking for a deeper spot to safely fish. I dug around for a larger oama that still had its colors, and tossed it out. Bam, a much stronger fish hit. The white papio kept fighting even when I had it next to the board. Omilu seem to pull faster and whites pull more doggedly. I happily bagged it.
With a nice white in the bag I went exploring and fished some unproductive water. Then I discovered an area next to the impact zone where the swell rolled through without breaking. I situated myself near the edge of the impact zone and cast another frozen oamasickle. Hookup, and the fish pulled me towards the waves. Yikes! I put the rod in the rod holder and paddled towards calm water hoping the fish wouldn’t rock me. When I reached calm water, I sat up and started cranking. The white, which was initially taking drag, wasn’t nearly as large as I thought. Man these whites can pull hard.
Pretty good action for a spot I’ve never board fished before. I headed in to keep the papios in good condition. Didn’t lose any rigs this time unlike the snaggapalooza yesterday.
Interesting that, although the larger fish below is just an inch longer than the smaller one, its body is deeper and more angular to make room for its sex organs. It fought considerably harder also.
Do you smell smoke??
Damn, it looks like Scotty is still on FIYA!
Your stories have truly been inspirational (although I’m not sure if that is the right phrase, since my wife may not use that parlance). I am hooked now and might have to “up” my fishing budget. Already started copying you, which some say is the highest form of flattery, by buying a looong nose pliers and some new terminal tackle.
Could you post more pics of your rigs? I promise to share mine too 🙂
Happy Fishing!
Hey Kelly,
Now your wife has me to blame for taking food out of your childrens’ mouths huh?
My prototype rigs are still being refined, and in my less than humble opinion, the true reason why the oama whipping technique is working.
Some veterans feel I’m already releasing too much info that’s causing fishing spots to be over run. So I’m holding off on showing the whipping rig. It’s as lethal as the Waxwing but costs much less.
I’ll show you in person though!
-scott
Yup, next time I go fishing/shopping I will say “it is all that guy Scott’s fault” … haha … j/k!
OK, cool about the rigs. We wouldn’t wanna piss people off. Fishing spots are well guarded secrets … but rigs too? I never knew that, but learn something from you every week! Hopefully we can fish together soon 🙂
Anyone else here keep your rigs “top secret”???
got switched to 1st class before da flight but slept most of the way. the yellow spot is on facebook. hope you still firing
Brah, that looks bigger than 4lbs! You measure fish old skool like you do waves!